No More Dancing the Night Away
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382412)
Rockingham, Australia
March 14, 2016 10:07am CST
On Saturday we drove for two hours to attend a reunion of people with whom I attended high school. I also attended primary school with many of them. We have had a few get-togethers and while the first few were a bit stressful, I enjoy them now. We have one member who is a great organiser. If it weren't for her probably these gatherings wouldn't happen. We have had some interesting get-together but now we all turn 70 this year, we're happy to have a place just to catch up and reminisce.
Fifty-four of us gathered at the Quindanning Hotel. There is virtually nothing else at Quindanning – just the hotel, an old hall, a picnic race-course close by and a small church. We had booked out all twenty rooms. Some bought their caravans and others didn't stay the night. We crowded into the pool room to watch a video that Sandra had put together. Over the years she has gathered photos from all of us and these were shown together with photos from previous reunions. At the end we watched quietly and, as their photos came on the screen, remembered members and teachers who had passed away.
At 7pm, we had a roast dinner served outdoors at picnic tables. Then we had a choice of apple crumble or sticky date pudding. Later there was a communal birthday cake. Several people spoke about our high school days and that was about it. You can tell we are getting old as most had gone off to bed by 10.30pm and a small group managed to stay up till midnight. We had a lovely cooked breakfast in the morning then, in dribs and drabs, we all went on our various ways. I wonder how much water will pass under the bridge before the next one?
26 people like this
27 responses
@Tampa_girl7 (54730)
• United States
14 Mar 16
I think that it is wonderful that you can all get together.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
I think everyone enjoys them now. They catch up with their old school friends and get chatting to other classmates that they mightn't have known so well at school. We're all adults now and petty childhood jealousies, etc are all forgotten. They have all matured into nice people and it is easy to have a pleasant time with any of them.
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
14 Mar 16
Oh what a beautiful time you had Judy.
I would love to meet with my old school friends like this.
Yes going to be early is a sure sign of getting older.
Still the memories are lovely and in such a lovely place you went there.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
15 Mar 16
@JudyEv Oh Judy I am a long way from where I went to school. I looked on that classmates site and not a soul is on there that I went to school with and on facebook..no one.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Mar 16
@TiarasOceanView What a shame! I guess the US is a big place and many people might be the other end of the country from where they went to school.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
Vince and I got through to midnight so we were very pleased with ourselves. Does your school class have any reunions?
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
14 Mar 16
It sounds like a nice evening. 10:30 - wow - that's late LOL!
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
15 Mar 16
@JudyEv Midnight - wow, the last time I was up until then was waiting for the all clear after a tornado warning - yours was much more fun.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
@AbbyGreenhill I was a bit disappointed that most of them went off to bed.
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
14 Mar 16
so glad that all'd such a great time, ms. judy. i confess to ne'er goin' to a school reunion, 'd no desire to do such. the hubs'd drag me off to his. i'm glad they no longer've 'em e'ery 5 years, perhaps the next'un'll be more grown up. seems all they wish to do's drink 'n dance. :(
hopefully y'all'll be able to get together sooner rather'n later.
3 people like this
@crazyhorseladycx (39503)
• United States
15 Mar 16
@JudyEv that'd be great :D the hubs's a social butterfly, whilst i tend to prefer to hang 'round critters. i think the hubs knows jest 'bout e'erybody fer 'bout 500 miles'r better, lol.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
We are thinking two years as it has some significance. Hopefully most of us will still be here then. :) I can imagine they're a bit awkward if you don't know many people. Vince grew up in the same town and went to primary school with many of them so he doesn't find it hard to find someone to talk to - and he has been to them all so knows everyone now anyway.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43655)
• Denver, Colorado
14 Mar 16
That sounds like fun. I haven't been to any of my reunions or get togethers.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
The first one is the worst. You can't recognise half the people etc but they gave us all name tags which was helpful. We still get name tags - and need them.
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
15 Mar 16
I have been moaning and groaning about my upcoming 40th high school class reunion. Can't believe it has been that long. Sadly the people who are more well off than others decided to have the usually gathering at the Country Club, and there will be a hefty admission fee. I suggested another possibility and was politely thanked for my input, but they are sticking with the Country Club.
So, I am not going to this reunion, and I'll probably regret it. But, can't afford it.
It's nice to see that you still gather with your classmates and have a enjoyable time with them. Kudos to you.
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
15 Mar 16
@JudyEv they seem more interested in associating with only those that can afford the cost of a high class party. There are other options that are lower cost and they have pointed it out by saying that to me. I feel it is closing people out and leaving us to stand outside and view the party from the other side of the window.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
@ElusiveButterfly That is very sad. Can you run your own at a cheaper rate for some of the other people? It defeats the aim of a reunion if only a few can attend.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
Yes, it was worth the trip. I caught up with a lot of old friends.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
15 Mar 16
That must have been wonderful! I'm glad you appreciate the fact you had so many years in school with the same kids.
I went to 8 different schools (military family), so I didn't know many of the kids I graduated with. Besides, Hawaii is too far away to attend a reunion!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
16 Mar 16
@JudyEv It was what it was. I was always the new kid, shy and geeky which was difficult. But my very best school years were the 7th and 8th grade in Jersey City, NJ. I had my own little group of friends and we didn't know (or care) that we weren't the coolest kids. It was a happy time in my life.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 16
@1creekgirl I had a small group of friends too. It's funny how you form friendships like that. At the reunion some groups have kept up the friendships ever since.
1 person likes this
. My school friend, Helen, goes to most of them and my elder sister has been to a few (we went to the same school for a time). I'm a bit too far away now.
@cherriefic (10399)
• Philippines
15 Mar 16
It's ok not to dance all night anymore. Sleeping seems to be more appealing when you get older.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Mar 16
That's true although many older people suffer from insomnia.
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
Most of the night we just sat and talked with the various friends.
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
It is surprising the different memories we all have of these times.
@1creekgirl (44560)
• United States
15 Mar 16
How wonderful! I went with my husband to his class reunion a few years ago in Arkansas and that was really nice. I've never been to one of mine. ..I graduated in Hawaii and my school was large so I didn't even know all the kids.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382412)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Mar 16
There were some kids, boys especially, who only came to the school for one or two years and weren't in my class. I have no recollection of them whatsoever.
@PainsOnSlate (21845)
• Canada
16 Mar 16
You are lucky to be close enough to keep the friendships alive. I left home as soon as I graduated and have been home for only two Class reunions, Once in a while I run into someone I know at the mall. Out small community has grown from full of farms to massive housing developments and highways. Its sad to remember what the olden days were compared to today. Your reunion sounds wonderful no matter what your age is.
1 person likes this
